Experimental proof of the feasibility of using an angled fiber-optic probe for depth-sensitive fluorescence spectroscopy of turbid media

An angled fiber-optic probe that facilitates depth-sensitive fluorescence measurements was developed for enhancing detection of epithelial precancers. The probe was tested on solid, two-layered phantoms and proved to be effective in selectively detecting fluorescence from different layers. Specifically, a larger illumination angle provides greater sensitivity to fluorescence from the top layer as well as yielding an overall higher fluorescence signal. Monte Carlo simulations of a theoretical model of the phantoms demonstrate that increasing the illumination angle results in an increased excitation photon density and, thus, in increased fluorescence generated in the top layer. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.